The cut at the Masters is one of the most pivotal moments of the tournament — determining which players remain in contention at Augusta National.
After the first two rounds (36 holes), the field is reduced to the top 50 players and ties. Any golfer outside that number at the end of Friday’s round is eliminated and will not advance to the weekend.
There is no secondary cut at the Masters. Once players make the cut, they are guaranteed to compete in both Saturday and Sunday rounds.
When Does the Masters Cut Happen?
The Masters cut is finalized at the conclusion of Round 2 on Friday.
Because ties are included, the number of players who advance can vary slightly. While the cut line is set at the top 50, the weekend field often exceeds that number if multiple players are tied at the cutoff.
For example, if several players are tied for 50th place, all of them will move on — meaning the final number of players can climb into the mid-50s depending on scoring.
How the Masters Cut Rule Differs From Other Tournaments
The Masters uses a stricter cut rule than most PGA Tour events.
- Masters: Top 50 and ties
- Most PGA Tour events: Top 65 and ties
This reflects the Masters’ smaller, invitation-only field, which typically includes around 80 to 100 players — significantly fewer than standard PGA Tour events.
The tighter cut line increases pressure early in the tournament, leaving little margin for error even for elite players.
A Key Rule Change in Recent Years
The Masters adopted its current cut format in 2020, when tournament officials eliminated the previous “10-shot rule.”
Before that change, players within 10 strokes of the leader could also make the cut, even if they fell outside the top 50. That rule is no longer in effect.
Now, the cut is determined strictly by position: top 50 and ties only.
Why the Cut Matters So Much at Augusta
Making the cut at Augusta isn’t just about playing more golf — it’s about staying in contention at one of the sport’s biggest events.
Players who make the cut:
- Remain eligible to compete for the green jacket
- Earn official prize money
- Continue building career stats and history
Those who miss it are eliminated after two rounds — regardless of ranking, reputation, or expectations.
Masters Cut Drama: Why It’s Always a Storyline
The cut at Augusta consistently produces drama.
High-profile players miss the cut almost every year, while others barely sneak inside the line and use that momentum to climb the leaderboard over the weekend.
Because of the smaller field and tighter cutoff, the margin between playing on Sunday and heading home early is often razor thin.
Bottom Line
The Masters cut rule is simple — and unforgiving:
- Top 50 players and ties after 36 holes advance
- The cut is determined at the end of Friday’s round
- No secondary cut and no 10-shot rule
At Augusta National, two rounds are all it takes to define the tournament — and only those inside the number get a shot at the green jacket.
@annieagar5 a tradition unlike any other. #masters #golf #golftiktok #tigerwoods #golftok #pga
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